A quantity of loose ice shot up into the air, and the whole mass gradually settled lower.
The huge cakes were split and riven in twain, and made easier to handle. As they were clearing them away Barney gave a sharp cry.
He picked up a block of ice in which was imbedded a man’s skull. It was a hideous looking object.
CHAPTER IV.
UP THE FIORD.
In an instant all were crowded about the Celt, and interested in his strange discovery.
“Shure, phwereiver did this poor sowl come from?” cried the Celt. “Shure, he must have died here!”
“Golly! did yo’ ebber see de beat ob dat?” cried Pomp, in amazement.
“A human skull!” ejaculated Randall. “How is it, Frank? Is not that proof that these frozen latitudes are inhabited?”
“It is proof that they have been visited before by man,” agreed Frank. “It looks like the skull of a civilized man.”
“And so it is, mates,” cried Wendel. “Now I remember, when we crossed this icefield John Morgan, one of our men, died and we buried him here in the ice. I reckon that is his skull.”